Crawford replaces Alonso in Japan: Why it is or isn't remarkable

Aston Martin is adamant: Jak Crawford will only drive in FP1 during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, as a temporary replacement for Fernando Alonso. That implies the Spaniard will 'simply' line up on the grid at Suzuka, even though it wouldn’t be surprising if he skipped the upcoming race.

After all, the now 44-year-old Alonso was so affected by vibrations in his AMR26 in the last race that it was impossible for him to finish the Grand Prix. Given the considerable chance that these vibrations will return in Japan, it’s not far-fetched to think Alonso could run into trouble again and miss the checkered flag.

Alonso is getting on in years, and the older you get, the more physical discomforts one tends to experience, even if you are someone as exceptionally fit as the Spaniard. There’s certainly no shame if Alonso is potentially more susceptible to the vibrations of his Aston Martin than his teammate Lance Stroll, or the just-twenty-year-old Crawford.

Although Aston Martin says that’s not the case, it wouldn’t be odd if Alonso decided to sit out the upcoming race(s). It’s completely understandable that a competitor like the two-time world champion would rather not do that. By putting Crawford in the car for one free practice session, Aston Martin can at least take some load off Alonso, helping him start the rest of the weekend in better shape.

On the other hand, it’s precisely Alonso’s vast technical experience that can help Aston Martin and Honda improve the AMR26, possibly more than someone who is new to the car, like Crawford.

In that case, it again seems illogical to give the American a chance at the home circuit of Honda.